Segmented Aerosol Generating Article with Amorphous Solid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in maintaining consistent aerosol delivery over the use lifetime, as uniform aerosol generating articles lead to reduced component delivery, and there is a need for innovative solutions to alter and enhance the composition of inhaled aerosols.

Innovation Solution

The use of a tubular substrate with two distinct aerosol-forming compositions, one comprising an amorphous solid and the other potentially including tobacco, which are heated differently to alter the aerosol delivery profile, allowing for selective tuning of the inhaled aerosol composition and improved consumption efficiency and hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a uniform aerosol generating article is used, then the device structure is simple, but the aerosol delivery consistency deteriorates over use lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generating article structureVSAvoidaerosol delivery consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The aerosol generating article is divided into multiple sections, each containing different aerosol-forming compositions (e.g., amorphous solid in one section, tobacco material in another). This segmentation allows each section to be heated at different times or to different temperatures, maintaining aerosol delivery consistency throughout the product lifetime while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the aerosol generating article are assigned different properties - specifically, different aerosol-forming compositions are placed in different sections. This local differentiation ensures that as one section is consumed, another section continues to provide consistent aerosol delivery, resolving the reliability issue without requiring a completely complex uniform structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If multiple aerosol-forming compositions are used in one article, then aerosol delivery consistency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol delivery consistencyVSAvoidaerosol generating article structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The article is segmented into distinct sections, each containing a specific aerosol-forming composition. This segmentation strategy maintains reliability by ensuring consistent aerosol delivery from each section while managing complexity through a modular, organized structure that is straightforward to manufacture and use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different physical or chemical parameters are applied to different sections - such as different heating temperatures or heating sequences for different aerosol-forming compositions. This allows optimization of aerosol delivery consistency through parameter variation without requiring fundamentally complex device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of moving object

If different parts of smokable material are heated at different times, then aerosol formation longevity is extended, but energy use increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol formation longevityVSAvoidheating energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is implemented in periodic cycles, where different sections containing different aerosol-forming compositions are heated alternately or in sequence. This periodic heating extends aerosol formation longevity by ensuring that as one section is depleted, another section is activated, while managing energy consumption through efficient cycling rather than continuous heating of all sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables extended aerosol production with varying aerosol composition over time, enhancing user experience through controlled heat profiles and preventing condensation on reusable components, thus improving the longevity and efficiency of aerosol generation.

Implementation Method 1

The heating volatilizes at least one component of the material, typically forming an inhalable aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolatilization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

components of this material are entrained in the inhalable vapor or aerosol to produce the inhaled medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20210177041A1Aerosol generation

Publication Date: 2021.06.17 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD

AI summary

An aerosol generating article for use in an aerosol generating assembly, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises a tubular substrate which comprises a first aerosol-forming composition, wherein the first aerosol-forming composition comprises an amorphous solid; and a second aerosol-forming composition, wherein the second aerosol-forming composition is different from the first aerosol-forming composition.